Rinat Fakhretdinov

Rinat Ryashitovich Fakhretdinov was born into a Volga Tatar family on 28 September 1991, in the village of Belozerye in the Romodanovsky District of the Mordovian ASSR, an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.{{cite web|url=https://stolica-s.su/archives/381262|title=Сенсация в UFC: уроженец Мордовии вырубил американца за 55 секунд!|publisher=stolica-s.su|access-date=2 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sport-express.ru/martial/mma/reviews/mma-rinat-fahretdinov-intervyu-pervogo-tatarskogo-boyca-v-istorii-ufc-o-poedinke-s-braynom-bettlom-carukyane-i-ankalaeve-2012888/|title="Моя жена — дагестанка, но первое, что я сказал, — дети должны знать татарский". Интервью с Ринатом Фахретдиновым|publisher=sport-express.ru|access-date=17 December 2022}} He started freestyle wrestling and Kūdō at the age of 13. In 2011, he moved from Saransk, Mordovia to Moscow and jointed the "sparta combat sambo club". To support himself, he held multiple jobs while studying law at Mordovia State University through correspondence.{{Cite web |title=Ринат Фахретдинов (Rinat Fakhretdinov): биография и лучшие бои средневеса UFC - MMAExpress |url=https://mma.express/fighters/ufc/rinat-fakhretdinov |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=mma.express}}{{Cite web |title="Спасибо всем причастным, квест пройден!" |url=https://stolica-s.su/archives/324753 |website=Stolica-s.su}}{{Cite web |title=The first Tatar man in the UFC — RealnoeVremya.com |url=https://realnoevremya.com/articles/5191-the-first-tatar-man-in-the-ufc |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=realnoevremya.com |language=en}}

In his early 20s, he transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), participating in amateur tournaments and gaining experience. He secured the SFC championship and later received an invitation to compete in the GFC, a prominent MMA league in Russia. On 3 May 2019 he became the Gorilla Fighting Championship champion in middleweight division after a submission win over Alberto Pereira.{{cite web |title="Пускали слухи, что мне после победы подарили гелик, 30 млн, квартиру". Большое интервью первого татарина в UFC |url=https://m.sport.business-gazeta.ru/article/275726 |access-date=28 June 2021 |publisher=sport.business-gazeta.ru}}

At the UAE Warriors 15 tournament,{{cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Full fight card released for UAE Warriors 15 |url=https://asianmma.com/full-fight-card-released-for-uae-warriors-15/ |website=asianmma.com}} his knockout victory over Eric Spicely caught the attention of UFC president Dana White, who offered him a contract to join the UFC. This made Fakhretdinov the first Tatar fighter to compete in a Western MMA promotion.{{cite web |author=Andrew Whitelaw |date=January 16, 2021 |title=Bruno Machado beats Mickael Lebout at UAE Warriors 15 |url=https://asianmma.com/bruno-machado-beats-mickael-lebout-at-uae-warriors-15/ |website=asianmma.com}}

Fakhretdinov made his UFC debut on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207 in a welterweight bout against Andreas Michailidis.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Ринат Фахретдинов дебютирует в UFC 4 июня |url=https://www.sport-express.ru/martial/mma/news/rinat-fahretdinov-debyutiruet-v-ufc-4-iyunya-1906359/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=sport-express.ru |language=ru}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn|date=2022-06-03 |title=UFC Vegas 56: Rinat Fakhretdinov Dominates Michailidis, Wins Bloody Decision |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/06/03/ufc-vegas-56-rinat-fakhretdinov-dominates-michailidis-wins-bloody-decision/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Fakhretdinov was expected to face Michael Morales on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-bellator-mma-news-matchup-roundup-september-26-october-2|title=Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Sept. 26-Oct. 2)|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2022-10-03|access-date=2022-11-30}} However, Morales pulled out and was replaced by Bryan Battle.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-fight-night-216-michael-morales-injured-out-vs-rinat-fakhretdinov|title=Unbeaten Michael Morales injured, out of UFC Fight Night 216 vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2022-11-30|access-date=2022-11-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/ufc-vegas-66-bryan-battle-vs-rinat-fakhretdinov/|title=UFC Vegas 66: Bryan Battle Replaced Morales Against Rinat Fakhretdinov|publisher=itnwwe.com|author=Arshad|date=2022-12-02|access-date=2022-12-02}} Fakhretdinov won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-18 |title=Rinat Fakhretdinov wants to clean out welterweight of any gatekeepers after UFC Fight Night 216 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-216-video-rinat-fakhretdinov-wants-to-clean-out-welterweight-gatekeepers |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

Fakhretdinov faced Kevin Lee on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Kevin Lee gets first assignment in UFC return, meets Rinat Fakhretdinov July 1 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-news-kevin-lee-vs-rinat-fakhretdinov-fight-night-event-july-1-las-vegas |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight via technical submission due to a guillotine choke with in the opening minute.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2023-07-01 |title=UFC Vegas 76 video: Rinat Fakhretdinov spoils Kevin Lee’s return, sleeps him with nasty guillotine in just 55 seconds, subsequently he was released from UFC again |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/7/1/23781380/ufc-vegas-76-video-rinat-fakhretdinov-puts-kevin-lee-sleep-with-guillotine-choke-in-just-55-seconds |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}

Fakhretdinov faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.{{Cite web |last=Zubkiewicz |first=Bartłomiej |date=2023-08-22 |title=Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos kontra Rinat Fakhretdinov na UFC Sao Paulo {{!}} MMAROCKS |url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/elizeu-zaleski/elizeu-zaleski-dos-santos-kontra-rinat-fakhretdinov-na-ufc-sao-paulo |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=MMA Rocks! |language=pl-PL}} The bout ended in a majority draw.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2023-11-05 |title=UFC Sao Paulo: Rinat Fakhretdinov Draws With Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in Back and Forth War |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/11/04/ufc-sao-paulo-rinat-fakhretdinov-elizeu-zaleski-dos-santos/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Fakhretdinov faced Nicolas Dalby on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.{{Cite web |last=Zubkiewicz |first=Bartłomiej |date=2024-04-05 |title=Rinat Fakhretdinov kontra Nicolas Dalby na czerwcowej gali UFC w Arabii Saudyjskiej |url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/nicolas-dalby/rinat-fakhretdinov-kontra-nicolas-dalby-na-czerwcowej-gali-ufc-w-arabii-saudyjskiej |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=MMA Rocks! |language=pl-PL}} He won the fight by split decision.{{Cite web |last=Hester |first=Bryson |date=2024-06-22 |title=UFC Saudi Arabia: Rinat Fakhretdinov Best Nicolas Dalby In Fun Scrap |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/06/22/ufc-saudi-arabia-rinat-fakhretdinov-best-nicolas-dalby-in-fun-scrap/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Fakhretdinov was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/7/24/24204174/morning-report-kamaru-usman-targets-winner-leon-edwards-belal-muhammad-still-got-tread-left-in-tires|title=Morning Report: Kamaru Usman targets winner of UFC 304 main event: ‘I still got tread left in these tires’ - Fight Announcements|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Drake Riggs|date=2024-07-24|access-date=2024-07-24}} However, Ruziboev withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion and promotional newcomer Carlos Leal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/10/20/24274425/ufc-308-newcomer-saves-welterweight-clash-on-ilia-topuria-vs-max-holloway-fight-card|title=UFC 308: Newcomer saves welterweight clash on Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway fight card|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck|date=2024-10-20|access-date=2024-10-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/10/21/2-changes-to-massive-ufc-308-card-have-made-the-event-even-better/|title=2 Changes To Massive UFC 308 Card Have Made The Event Even Better|publisher=forbes.com|author=Brian Mazique|date=2024-10-21|access-date=2024-10-21}} He won the bout by unanimous decision, despite 16 of 16 media outlets scoring the bout for Leal.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/26/ufc-308-questionable-judging-sees-rinat-fakhretdinov-win-decision-over-carlos-leal/|title=UFC 308: Questionable Judging Sees Rinat Fakhretdinov Win Decision Over Carlos Leal|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Shawn Bitter|date=2024-10-26|access-date=2024-10-26}}{{cite web |title=Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal :: UFC 308 |url=http://mmadecisions.com/decision/15065/Rinat-Fakhretdinov-vs-Carlos-Leal |website=MMA Decisions |access-date=26 October 2024}}

Fakhretdinov is scheduled to face former LFA Welterweight Champion Gabriel Bonfim on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251.{{Cite web|title=Irmãos Bonfim têm retorno marcado ao UFC em fevereiro. Veja lutas|url=https://www.metropoles.com/esportes/irmaos-bonfim-tem-retorno-marcado-ao-ufc-em-fevereiro-veja-lutas|date=2024-11-21|access-date=2024-11-21|publisher=metropoles.com|author=Paulo Victor Soares|language=es}} However, Fakhretdinov withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Khaos Williams.{{Cite web|title=Irmãos Bonfim têm retorno marcado ao UFC em fevereiro. Veja lutas|url=https://www.metropoles.com/esportes/irmaos-bonfim-tem-retorno-marcado-ao-ufc-em-fevereiro-veja-lutas|date=2024-11-21|access-date=2024-11-21|publisher=metropoles.com|author=Paulo Victor Soares|language=es}}

Fakhretdinov competed against Douglas Lima at ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024.{{cite web |title=ADXC 2: Douglas Lima And Rinat Fakhretdinov Face Each Other In A Main Card Grappling Bout |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/adxc-2-douglas-lima-and-rinat-fakhretdinov-face-each-other-in-a-main-card-grappling-bout/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=10 January 2024}} He won the match by unanimous decision.{{cite web |title=ADXC 2 Full Results And Review |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/adxc-2-full-results-and-review/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=20 January 2024}}

Fakhretdinov competed against Craig Jones at Pit Submission Series 4 on April 20, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Jackson |title=Full Card Announced For Pit Submission Series 4 |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/full-card-announced-for-pit-submission-series-4/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=4 April 2024}} He lost the match by submission due to a triangle choke.{{cite web |title=Shock Upsets And Stunning Highlights In Pit Submission Series 4 Results |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/shock-upsets-and-stunning-highlights-in-pit-submission-series-4-results/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=23 April 2024}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• UFC.com Awards
• 2023: Ranked #9 Submission of the Year {{small|vs. Kevin Lee}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/2023-submissions-ufccom-awards-grasso-jones-lopes-rakhmonov|title=The Submissions - 2023 UFC.com Awards|date=December 21, 2023|author=UFC Staff|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}
• Eagle Fighting Championship (Then Gorilla Fighting Championship)
• GFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
• One successful title defence

• Russian combat sambo championships — 2nd
• Moscow combat sambo championships — 1st

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=1

|nc=

|ko-wins=11

|sub-wins=6

|dec-wins=6

|ko-losses=

|sub-losses=

|dec-losses=1

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|{{nowrap|23–1–1}}

|Carlos Leal

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 308

|{{dts|2024|October|26}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|{{nowrap|22–1–1}}

|Nicolas Dalby

|Decision (split)

|UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov

|{{dts|2024|June|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

|

|-

|{{draw}}Draw

|align=center|{{nowrap|21–1–1}}

|Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

|Draw (majority)

|UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis

|{{dts|2023|November|04}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|São Paulo, Brazil

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|21–1

|Kevin Lee

|Technical Submission (guillotine choke)

|UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov

|{{dts|2023|July|1}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:55

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|20–1

|Bryan Battle

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

|{{dts|2022|December|17}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|19–1

|Andreas Michailidis

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik

|{{dts|2022|June|4}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Return to Welterweight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|18–1

| Eric Spicely

| KO (punch)

| UAE Warriors 15

| {{dts|2021|January|15}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|0:55

| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|17–1

| Jhonny Carlos

| Decision (unanimous)

| GFC 16

| {{dts|2019|August|30}}

| align=center|3

| align=center|5:00

| Astrakhan, Russia

| {{small|Defended the GFC Middleweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|16–1

| Alberto Uda

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| GFC 11

| {{dts|2019|May|3}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|4:13

| Penza, Russia

| {{small|Won the GFC Middleweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|15–1

| Vladimir Migovich

| TKO (punches)

| Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 9

| {{dts|2019|February|17}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|1:09

| Kazan, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|14–1

| Viktor Shabalov

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 7

| {{dts|2018|November|4}}

| align=center|2

| align=center|3:15

| Samara, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 13–1

| Bayram Mamedov

| TKO (punches)

| Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 4

| {{dts|2018|May|11}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| N/A

| Samara, Russia

|{{small|Return to Middleweight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 12–1

| Kevin Oliver

| TKO (punches)

| Prosperity Fight Promo: Battle for Samara

| {{dts|2018|February|2}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:13

| Samara, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 11–1

| Nurgazy Kaldar

| TKO (punches)

| SFC: Legacy of Sparta 3

| {{dts|2017|August|12}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:50

| Botlikhsky, Russia

| {{small|Welterweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–1

| Emin Agaev

| KO (punches)

| SFC: Legacy of Sparta 2

| {{dts|2016|August|14}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:10

| Botlikhsky, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–1

| Denis Gunich

| Decision (unanimous)

| Octagon Fighting Sensation 8

| {{dts|2015|May|8}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Moscow, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–1

| Melis Joldoshev

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| World Ertaymash Federation 2

| {{dts|2015|March|15}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:04

| Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–1

| Yuri Ilyin

| TKO (punches)

| SFC: Legacy of Sparta 1

| {{dts|2014|September|14}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:15

| Zelenograd, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–1

| Erikson Betao

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| Fight Stars: Team Challenge 1

| {{dts|2014|September|5}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:05

| Saransk, Russia

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–1

| Ravshan Akhmedov

| TKO (corner stoppage)

| No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Finals

| {{dts|2013|November|30}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 4:33

| Moscow, Russia

|{{small|Won the No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–1

| Magomed Isaev

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Semifinals

| {{dts|2013|October|27}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:22

| Moscow, Russia

|{{small|No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament semifinal.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–1

| Marat Bekmuratov

| TKO (punches)

| No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Quarterfinals

| {{dts|2013|September|22}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:30

| Moscow, Russia

|{{small|No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament quarterfinal.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–1

| Pavel Bodrov

| TKO (punches)

| Razdolie Cup 2

| {{dts|2013|June|30}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:30

| Zelenograd, Russia

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 1–1

| Aigun Akhmedov

| Decision (unanimous)

| rowspan=2|Igor Vovchanchyn Cup 3

| rowspan=2|{{dts|2013|June|5}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 5:00

| rowspan=2|Kharkiv, Ukraine

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Aleksandr Svirid

| TKO (punches)

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 0:41

|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rinat-Fakhretdinov-145067|title=Rinat|website=Sherdog|access-date=2023-04-07}}

• List of male mixed martial artists
• List of current UFC fighters

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{UFC|rinat-fakhretdinov}}
• {{Sherdog|145067}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fakhretdinov, Rinat}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Russian male mixed martial artists

Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing sambo

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:Ground-and-pound fighters

Category:Russian sambo practitioners

Category:Sportspeople from Saransk

Category:Russian expatriates in the United States

Category:Tatar people of Russia

Category:21st-century Russian sportsmen